Anyone who knows me knows that I love dumplings. And in this great city, there are plenty of dumplings for a dumpling lover like me to sample. Here are some of my favorites.
Fried Dumpling
99 Allen St. (Between Delancey and Broome Sts.)
212-941-9975
Fried Dumpling serves fried dumplings, 5 for $1, and not much else. That's fine by me. Last time I was there, my sister and I shared 10 dumplings, a sesame pancake, and a soft drink for $3.25.
Citysearch review
NYMetro.com review
Dumpling House
118 Eldridge St (Between Broome and Grand Sts.)
212-625-8008
If for some reason you are still hungry after visiting Fried Dumpling, Dumpling House is only a block away and offers a very similar menu. Dumplings are available steamed or fried, pork or vegetable. I've heard good things about their Chinese pancakes as well.
Mandoo Bar
2 W. 32nd St. (At Fifth Ave.)
212-279-3075
"Mandoo" (or "mandu") are korean dumplings. The dumplings are prepared in the front window of the restaurant (see above). You can choose from pork, kimchee, vegetable or seafood mandoo which can be steamed, boiled, or lightly fried. My favorite are the goon mandoo,lightly fried pork dumplings. Something you won't see anywhere else are the baby mandoo -- tiny pork-filled dumplings.
NYTimes review
NYMetro.com review
Grand Sichuan International
229 Ninth Ave (At 24th St.)
212-620-5200
Besides great super spicy Sichuan style Chinese, Grand Sichuan International also serves excllent pork soup dumplings - siu lim bao ("juicy little buns").
NYTimes review
For other dumpling recommendations, see the search results for keyword "dumpling" on Robert Sietsema's 100 Best Cheapest Asian Restaurants
